Forgotten Women Who Changed Indian History
As we look back at the history of European-colonised India, we find fierce and resilient queens who broke barriers through their courage, determination, and sacrifice. These qualities are deeply rooted in their love for and patriotism towards the country and its people. This article will present these five Indian nationalists.
1. Rani Abbakka Chowta — The First Warrior Queen of India
Rani Abbakka Chowta was the first Tuluva queen of Ullal in the 16th century. She belonged to the Chowta dynasty, which ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka, India.. During her reign, the Portuguese made several attempts to capture Ullal. Abbakka had led naval battles and used innovative tactics and weapons against Portuguese ships. When they attacked Ullal, she repelled their assaults and led successful counterattacks, becoming one of the earliest rulers to resist European colonial power.. She was betrayed by her husband, who allied with the Portuguese, and many sources say she died while imprisoned. Her bravery is still celebrated today through folk songs and dance dramas in the state of Karnataka.
2. Begum Hazrat Mahal — The Rebel Queen of Awadh
Born as Mohammadi Khanum in 1820 at Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, Begam Hazrat Mahal was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh.. When the British attacked Awadh and exiled her husband in 1856, she stayed in Lucknow with her young son, Birjis Qadir, and led the revolt against British rule. She encouraged women, along with men, to join the struggle for independence and refused to surrender even when the defeat was predictable.. After the rebellion, she lived in exile in Nepal, where she passed away in 1879. She remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and leadership in India’s history.
3. Savitribai Phule — The Torchbearer of Education
Savitribai Phule was an Indian educator, social reformer, and poet, widely regarded as India’s first female teacher and a pioneer of women’s education. Along with her sister-in-law, Sagunabai Kshirsagar, she began teaching girls in Pune. In January 1848, with the help of her husband Jyotirao Phule and Sagunabai, she founded India’s first girls’ school run by Indians, at Bhidewada, which included subjects like mathematics, science, and social studies. Despite facing opposition from local conservative communities, she remained committed to spreading equality and education. During the bubonic plague, she and her adopted son, Yashwant, opened a clinic to treat patients. She succumbed to the plague while caring for an infected child in 1897.
4. Velu Nachiyar — The First Queen to Wage War Against the British
Velu Nachiyar, the queen of Sivaganga estate in the 18th century, is known as Veeramangai, which translates to ‘brave woman’. She is remembered as the first Indian queen to wage war against the British East India Company. Skilled in many weapons, martial arts, horse riding, methods of combat, and archery, she was trained in warfare and strategy from a young age. After her husband, Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar, was killed on the second day of battle against the British in 1772, she sought refuge in Dindigul, under Hyder Ali’s protection, and stayed in Virupaachi fortress. She fought against the British company after eight years of strategic planning, forming alliances and gathering an army.. In 1780, she launched a successful campaign against the British and reclaimed her kingdom, ruling independently until she died in 1796.
5. Kittur Chennamma — The Queen Who Fought Before 1857
Born on 14th November 1778, in Kakati, presently in Karnataka, Rani Chennamma of Kittur was among the first Indian rulers to rebel against British rule. She married Raja Mallasarja of the Desai family at the age of 15. After her husband died in 1816 and her only son died in 1824, she adopted Shivalingappa as her heir. The British refused to recognise this adoption and attempted to take over Kittur - a policy that resembled the Doctrine of Lapse. She led an armed rebellion against the British East India Company, defeating them in the first battle. However, she was captured and imprisoned later at Bailhongal Fort.. She died in 1829 in Bailhongal. She is remembered as a symbol of courage and resistance, inspiring future leaders like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. States and memorials honour her in Karnataka as India’s early loyalist.
The stories of these women highlight the diverse and powerful roles women took in the struggle against British colonisation in India. Their leadership, courage, and resilience not only challenged contemporary restrictions but also paved the way for future generations. Although many faced hardships and the denial of basic rights, their contributions fundamentally transformed Indian society and inspired movements for justice and equality. By remembering and honouring these women, we reinforce the importance of their legacy and encourage continued progress toward gender equality and social transformation.
